JCALLY JM20 Headphone Dongle Review

[DamDamxD]

Always wanted to see measurements of this one, cause i have it for a while and it is pretty good IMHO, thank you very much

 

[antcollinet]

sometimes barren (sterile)

Interesting that these folks have a perfectly suitable term for an absolutely genuine characteristic (sterile) but then feel they need to invent a new term for it (barren). But because people won't know what the new term means, they have to tell them it means "sterile" There aren't enough on the planet.

It's a bit like the phrase often heard on the news. "........stated on X (formerly known as twitter)"

 

[cronos]

Does the Tidal app use direct decoding? similar to ASIO en Windows.

 

[markanini]

Interesting that these folks have a perfectly suitable term for an absolutely genuine characteristic (sterile) but then feel they need to invent a new term for it (barren). But because people won't know what the new term means, they have to tell them it means "sterile" There aren't enough on the planet.

It's a bit like the phrase often heard on the news. "........stated on X (formerly known as twitter)"

Maybe he wants his DACs to sound like an overgrown jungle.

 

[iGmole]

Hi, new here. I am happy to get validation for my purchases. I bought a JM20 and a JM20 Max some while ago and I think they are fantastic (the latter being the same but much, much more powerful).

I had no idea the JM20 is essentially perfect. I can stop DAC/AMP searching now. I'll just grab the IEM that suits my mood of the day and not worry about the power bit.

Oh and the JM20 Max is laundry machine proof as well. I've washed mine twice now.

 

[Matias]

Oh and the JM20 Max is laundry machine proof as well. I've washed mine twice now.

LOL epic 1st post! Welcome to ASR.

 

[iGmole]

LOL epic 1st post! Welcome to ASR.

Oh thank you. I was aiming for more goofy but I'll take epic too.

 

[CedarX]

Oh and the JM20 Max is laundry machine proof as well. I've washed mine twice now.

Was the sound cleaner after washing it?
I’m sure there is a correlation between sound quality and washing cycles: if you add enough detergent and raise the water temperature high enough, at some point you’ll hear no more sound. This will establish the correlation.

 

[iGmole]

Was the sound cleaner after washing it?
I’m sure there is a correlation between sound quality and washing cycles: if you add enough detergent and raise the water temperature high enough, at some point you’ll hear no more sound. This will establish the correlation.

Considerably less barren and sterile after washing it with soiled toddler underwear!

I'll let you know how many cycles it can take if I kill it someday. I did buy a spare already, it's easy to be careless when stuff costs starbucks dollars.

 

[Mojo Warrior]

 

[mc.god]

raise the water temperature high enough, at some point you’ll hear no more sound.

Foolish me forever thinking this was the way to get warmer sound...

 

[iGmole]

The JM20 might be great but it's no

Spoiler: Fantasia Acoustica X-9000

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Now, if only it could make coffee as well!

But in all seriousness, an insensitive low impedance planar IEM (like my KZ PRX) benefits from the extra oomph of the Max version especially with quieter material. All my other IEMs are perfectly fine with the basic bersion.

 

[noel_fs]

whats the difference between jm20 and jm30?

 

[mc.god]

whats the difference between jm20 and jm30?

for what we know, just a bigger enclosure with a status led on JM30.

here some measurements of JM30 from user @August
https://audiosciencereview.com/foru...ed-to-cirrus-logic-cs43131.23138/post-1872231

 

[bequietjk]

Well ill be... my dongle from target stopped working. Picking up this gem was a must!

 

[AdrianusG]

I found this review online..

It has weaknesses would you believe:

Weaknesses:​

• Slightly dry overall timbre tonality, sometimes barren (sterile)
• Average dynamic vibe overall, mild visceral bite and groove
• Less-organic, less-analogue timbre disposition
• Bass rolls off slightly shorter compared on reference grade comparison.
• Can be unforgiving on some songs, dependent on recording quality.
• Moderate layering, instruments sounded spaced closer together.
• Less than spectacular headstage, soundstage cramped in slightly.
• Spatial imaging is precise but less holographic compared to reference samples.

I hate it when something measures well but has a slightly dry overall timbre tonality and sometimes sounds barren (sterile) has an overall average dynamic 'vibe' with just a mild visceral bite and also a mild groove.
I hate to say this but at $24.- is also is less organic and has a (not measured but still present) bass roll-off and can be unforgiving on some (but not all) songs.
Add to that the layering is moderate and does not have a spectacular head/sound-stage and is a bit 'cramped' and not as 'holographic' as reference DACs (whatever those are).

fortunately it also has strengths...

Strengths:​

• Exceedingly crisp, coherent timbre – sparkly neutral and natural
• Clean Treble textures with graceful decays, mild airiness
• Excellent Treble extensions, comparable to Cayin N6ii and Topping D10s
• Commendable Bass extensions and details with tasty textures
• Strong, commanding Mid-Bass with lush decays.
• Bass exhibit solid texture definition, Mids moderately rich
• Moderately strong sounding sub-Bass seismic sensation and impact
• Lively guitars and stringed instruments attack
• Reference grade speed and transients handling
• Neutral, slightly forward, and clear male/female vocals, good depth
• Excellent micro details, almost reference grade
• Great Piano, Violin and Cello tones, attack, and decays
• Commendable sibilance resistance despite being sparkly bright.
• Clean background with zero floor noise

Yes... it does have an exceedingly crisp and coherent timbre yet slightly dry/barren/sterile.
The decays are graceful which is a good thing and the airiness fortunately is mild. I would not want it any other way.
Treble is well extended and has 'clean textures' which is important because it also can be (but only sometimes) unforgiving...
Furthermore is has commendable bass extension, moderately rich and solid texture but at the same time the bass rolls off shorter than it should and the seismic sensation and impact are only moderate ... dang I want the seismic sensation to have impact ...
Fortunately guitars are lively, piano, violin and cello sound great while male and female voices are neutral AND forward at the same time which is weird because they can't both be true but ... it sounds that way so there is nothing to complain. ... except for the weaknesses and the sparkly bright sound. The latter is not shown in measurements but hey... it is still there acc to the reviewer.
And not unimportant.... the sibilance resistance is commendable so far from futile.

Strengths:​

• Exceedingly crisp, coherent timbre – sparkly neutral and natural
• Clean Treble textures with graceful decays, mild airiness
• Excellent Treble extensions, comparable to Cayin N6ii and Topping D10s
• Commendable Bass extensions and details with tasty textures
• Strong, commanding Mid-Bass with lush decays.
• Bass exhibit solid texture definition, Mids moderately rich
• Moderately strong sounding sub-Bass seismic sensation and impact
• Lively guitars and stringed instruments attack
• Reference grade speed and transients handling
• Neutral, slightly forward, and clear male/female vocals, good depth
• Excellent micro details, almost reference grade
• Great Piano, Violin and Cello tones, attack, and decays
• Commendable sibilance resistance despite being sparkly bright.
• Clean background with zero floor noise

Oh come on now, you're just making that up

 

[solderdude]

Nah ... that reviewer is making the strengths and weaknesses up.

 

[NeoZs99]

I bought one because I needed a 3.55 jack for my phone.. Curious if it could power the hd650 maybe?

 

[tccalvin]

I bought one because I needed a 3.55 jack for my phone.. Curious if it could power the hd650 maybe?

Probably... Unless you listen to ear-crushing levels, which you shouldn't do anyway.

 

[staticV3]

I bought one because I needed a 3.55 jack for my phone.. Curious if it could power the hd650 maybe?

Easily